Originally conceived as a Plymouth model, the PT Cruiser received the Chrysler nameplate on introduction in anticipation of the 2001 discontinuation of the Plymouth brand. The PT Cruiser was designed by Bryan Nesbitt, who later also styled the Chevrolet HHR.[1]

A 4-seat convertible model was added for 2005. It is a 2-door convertible with an integrated "sport bar" for added rigidity and rollover protection. The sport bar also caused air to flow over the rear seat passengers. Convertible production ended December 21, 2007, but the last 2007 convertibles were marketed as 2008 models. On January 12, 2009, Chrysler LLC, under the private equity firm of Cerberus Capital Management Group, announced the gradual discontinuation of the main model.

On July 6, 2009, after reorganization into the "New Chrysler", the company changed plans to discontinue the model by specifying that it would do so for Canadian and Mexican markets only. On July 9, 2010 the PT Cruiser ended production.[2] Worldwide production totaled 1.35 million vehicles.[3] Note they only produced 1 black one which was a prototype and later sold in Western New York.

The PT Cruiser is a front-wheel drive 5-passenger vehicle, classified as a truck in the US by the NHTSA for CAFEfuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck in order to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards.[citation needed] A turbocharged GT model was introduced for the 2003 model year. A convertible was introduced for the 2005 model year.

The PT Cruiser was manufactured at Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico. On March 8, 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that it had built 1,000,000 PT Cruisers at the Toluca plant.[4] The final PT Cruiser built rolled off the assembly line there on July 9, 2010. A Chrysler spokesperson said the last model was Stone White and was destined for a U.S. dealership. In all, a grand total of 1,050,281 PT Cruisers were sold in the United States.

European Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT Cruiser was also assembled at the EUROSTAR Automobilwerk in Graz, Austria, for global markets (outside North America) in 2002, using the production code PG. European PT Cruisers built in 2001 or from 2003 onwards were built in Mexico under the PT production code. The US version came standard with a 2.4 L four-cylinder gasoline engine. In addition to this standard model, a 2.2 L four-cylinderdiesel engine built by Mercedes Benz was also available in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. A 2.0 L engine (D4RE) was also available outside the US. It produced 140 hp (100 kW) SAE at 6500 rpm with 130 lb·ft (180 N·m) of torque at 4800 rpm. In July 2000, the PT Cruiser replaced the Neon in Japan as their small car offering. Chrysler sold over 10,000 PT Cruisers in Japan, despite its high cost liability to Japanese consumers because the width measurements didn't comply with Japanese Government dimension regulations which Japanese consumers were liable for a yearly tax. Both the four door sedan and the two door convertible, and the GT turbo engine package were sold in Japan in right hand drive configurations. Japanese versions were manufactured at the Austrian factory and were equipped very similar to European specifications.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Japanese taxi

From 2002 until 2007, the PT Cruiser was used in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture by the Maihama Resort Cab company to serve as a taxi in the vicinity of Tokyo Disneyland because of its fun, retro appearance. Due to its use as a taxi, the annual road tax was not as expensive as private ownership. The PT Cruiser taxis augmented the Maihama Resort Line service to Tokyo Disneyland. Unfortunately, the PT Cruiser wasn't built for the rigors of taxi service, and the fleet became expensive to maintain, with eventual retirement in 2007. The PT Cruiser was offered in Japan until April 2010, when it was replaced by the Dodge Caliber.

The PT Cruiser was originally conceived as a Plymouth model, before Chrysler's merger with Daimler-Benz.[citation needed] At the time, Chrysler had planned a new look for Plymouth, previewed by the Plymouth Prowler "hot rod". Styling cues from the Prowler, particularly the grille, were used to create the Plymouth Prontoconcept car in 1997. The look was refined, and in 1998, another Plymouth concept called the Pronto Cruizer directly previewed the styling of the PT Cruiser. The Pronto Cruizer was designed as a modern interpretation of the Chrysler Airflow with Dodge Neon components, but the final design used a separate platform. The new DaimlerChrysler firm did not have much faith in Plymouth as a separate entity, and began steps to rationalize and cancel the marque. Consequently, the PT Cruiser appeared in public only as a Chrysler.[citation needed]

The PT Cruiser also resembles the 1997 Chrysler CCV prototype – which would evolve into the styling of the PT Cruiser.[citation needed]

PT Cruiser models included the Classic Edition, Limited Edition, Touring Edition, "Dream Cruiser", "Street Cruiser", "Pacific Coast Highway Edition" and PT Cruiser GT. Non-GT Turbo (180 hp) edition models (introduced in 2004) were identified by a "2.4L Turbo" badge on the lower right hand corner of the rear lift-gate. The GT model (introduced in 2003) has a "2.4L Turbo High Output" badge on the right hand corner of the lift-gate indicating the 215-230 hp engine version.

The PT Cruiser was updated for 2006 to include scalloped headlights, a revised grille no longer extending below the "bumper", new lower front fascia which eliminated the patented brake cooling ducts and available round fog lamps and redesigned taillights. Interior updates included a revised interior with an updated dash with an analog clock in the center stack. The audio system featured a line-in jack for MP3 players integrated into the dash. Features such as satellite radio, a premium sound system by Boston Acoustics with external amplifier and subwoofer, and U Connect hands-free Bluetooth for compatible cell phones also became available in 2006. The standard audio system now included an A/M-F/M stereo with single-disc CD player and 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack with six speakers, replacing a cassette player and four speakers. The turbocharged 2.4 L four-cylinder engine was available in 180 hp (130 kW) or "High-Output" 230 hp (170 kW) versions. A "Mopar" cruise control unit became available as an after market unit on 2007 models. Also in 2007, Chrysler dealers were permitted to order vehicles with separate options (un-bundled options from option packages) such as anti-lock brakes and Side Impact Airbags. Sirius Satellite Radio also became an option that could be installed as a dealer option with a factory appearance (i.e. roof mount satellite antenna).

In 2002 Euro NCAP gave the PT Cruiser a three (out of five) stars rating. The car received bad results in the frontal impact test (6 out of 16 possible points). The height of the seats and side airbags helped to attain a maximum score of 16 points in the side impact test. The low frontal scores are in part explained by the cushioning near the knees, designed to protect unbelted occupants, which is not a factor in the EU where passengers must wear seat belts.[7]

For 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the PT Cruiser the highest rating of Good overall for occupant protection in frontal crashes and the second lowest overall rating of Marginal for side crashes.[8] It was the one small car to earn Marginal marks in both side and rear evaluations as well as the only small car to not offer electronic stability control.[9][10]

The PT Cruiser GT (also known as the GT Cruiser) is a high output turbochargedhot hatch variant of the PT Cruiser introduced as a 2003 model. Much like the Dodge Neon SRT-4 sedan, the PT Cruiser GT uses the same 2.4L turbocharged I4 engine. The engine is upgraded over the standard PT with improved cooling, oiling, an aluminum cylinder block with steel sleeves, and forged internals. The PT Cruiser GT is much more powerful than the standard model and has the potential to make significantly more power with available and relatively simple performance upgrades. Upgrades such as MOPAR Stage 1 and supporting turbo components are common. Most performance parts from the Dodge Neon SRT-4 are compatible with the PT Cruiser GT.

The Couture Edition featured a contrasting two-tone paint scheme: black above the beltline and silver metallic on the bottom section, with a red pinstripe dividing the two. The interior included Radar Red leather buckets (dark gray leather optional) with black piping, a red shifter knob and chrome appliques. Outside features included 16-inch chrome clad wheels with chromed bodyside moldings and accents. Production was limited to 500.

The Chrysler Panel Cruiser was a design study that appeared at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show.[15] Based on the PT Cruiser, it featured panels in place of the rear doors and a wooden floor in place of the rear seats.[15]